Gavin Brindley

Gavin Brindley (born October 5, 2004) is an American professional ice hockey player who is a right winger for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in the second round, 34th overall, by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL entry draft. He played college ice hockey at Michigan.

Playing career Junior Brindley spent two seasons with the Tri-City Storm. During the 2020–21 season, he recorded nine goals and 13 assists in 51 games. During the 2021–22 season, he recorded 14 goals and 28 assists in 51 games and helped the Storm win the Anderson Cup.

College Brindley began his collegiate career for the Michigan Wolverines during the 2022–23 season. He recorded 12 goals and 26 assists in 41 games during his freshman season and helped Michigan advance to the Frozen Four. On October 7, 2022, Brindley recorded his first career point, an assist in the season-opening game against Lindenwood. On October 14, 2022, Brindley recorded his first career goal in a game against Boston University. During the championship game at 2023 Big Ten tournament, he assisted on the game-tying and game-winning goals, as Michigan won their second consecutive tournament championship. He set the Big Ten tournament record for most assists in a single tournament with seven. After returning to the team after competing at the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, he recorded 11 goals and 17 assists in the final 20 games of the season. After a standout freshmen season, Brindley was drafted in the second round, 34th overall, by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL entry draft.

During the 2023–24 season, in his sophomore year, he was the Big Ten Scoring Champion, recording 12 goals and 17 assists in 23 conference games. He became the fifth Wolverine to lead the conference in scoring, and was named Big Ten Player of the Year.

Professional Columbus Blue Jackets On April 15, 2024, Brindley concluded his collegiate career following his sophomore season by signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He made his NHL debut for the Blue Jackets the next day in their final game of the regular season against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Brindley began the 2024–25 season on the injured reserve after suffering a broken finger in a preseason game against the St. Louis Blues on October 1, 2024. He was activated from injured reserve and loaned to the Blue Jackets' AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters, on November 14, 2024. After an initial hot start offensively with the Monsters, Brindley needed an adjustment period to the heavy, physical schedule of the AHL as a 20-year-old, and faced offensive droughts to finish the year with just 17 points through 52 games.

Colorado Avalanche On June 27, 2025, Brindley's tenure with the Blue Jackets ended after he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche, alongside second and third round picks, in exchange for Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood. Projected to start the season in the AHL with affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, Brindley impressed through pre-season and was amongst the team's scoring leaders, earning him an opening night roster spot with the Avalanche. He made his Avalanche debut from the fourth-line in a 4-1 opening victory over the Los Angeles Kings on October 9, 2025. By using his relentless pace and forechecking, Brindley notched his first NHL goal in a game against the Dallas Stars on October 11, 2025 and later his first game-winning goal on November 9, 2025 in overtime against the Vancouver Canucks. Contributing offensively in a limited role to begin the season, Brindley was signed a two-year contract extension on November 11, 2025. With his season hampered through a lower-body injury Brindley's scoring pace slowed and he was re-assigned to the Eagles for the remainder of the season on March 26, 2026. He finished the season, helping the Eagles advance to the Conference Finals and completed his first year with the Avalanche posting 6 goals and 13 points through 56 regular season games.

International play

Brindley represented the United States at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics where he recorded one goal and one assist in four games and won a silver medal.

Brindley represented the United States at the 2022 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he recorded one goal and three assists in six games and won a silver medal.

On December 12, 2022, Brindley was named to the United States men's national junior ice hockey team to compete at the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. During the tournament he recorded one goals and three assists in seven games and won a bronze medal.

On December 16, 2023, Brindley was again named to Team USA's roster to compete at the 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. During the tournament he recorded six goals and four assists in seven games and won a gold medal.

Brindley represented the United States at the 2024 IIHF World Championship where he made his senior national team debut and recorded one goal in five games.

Personal life Brindley's father, Ryan, played college ice hockey at Miami from 1996 to 1999 and professionally for eight years. Ryan is a native of Thunder Bay, Ontario, and founded Southeast Elite Hockey in Florida, where he currently serves as director.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2022 United States U18 6 1 3 4 2 2023 United States WJC 7 1 3 4 4 2024 United States WJC 7 6 4 10 0 2024 United States WC 5th 5 1 0 1 0 Junior totals 20 8 10 18 6 Senior totals 5 1 0 1 0

Awards and honours Award Year USHL All-Rookie Second Team 2021 College All-Big Ten First Team 2024 Big Ten Scoring Champion 2024 Big Ten Player of the Year 2024 Big Ten All-Tournament Team 2024 AHCA West First Team All-American 2024